Game Preview: De La Rosa vs. Vogelsong

I feel like Giants games are never any fun. They're so stressful. Even when the Rockies win (which they occasionally do at Coors), it feel draining, devoid of catharsis. It's like, "Congratulations on running this marathon, it looked pretty brutal out there. Here's a lukewarm cup of water. Enjoy doing it again tomorrow."

I hate watching long Angel Pagan at bats, that typically end with him banging a triple in the gap. I hate seeing Pablo Sandoval bash a breaking ball off his shoe-laces for a base hit. Hunter Pence is a whirling dervish of ankles and elbows that always seems to kill the Rockies. The light-hitting Brandon Crawford has an .887 OPS against the Rockies for, like, no reason. It's aggravating.

Ryan Vogelsong goes for the Giants today. He was lousy in 2013, with a 5.73 ERA. He's been lousy in 2014, with a 5.40 ERA in three starts. He spent five or six years kicking around the Japan league before returning to the Giants and becoming a solid contributor. He doesn't feature a big fastball or unhittable breaking stuff. In fact, he's probably the Rockies' best bet for a win this series.

Jorge De La Rosa gets the ball for his fourth start this year, and it sure would be nice if he pitched well. The Rockies are 0 and 3 in games started by their Opening Day pitcher. He'll be squaring off against the Giants' best lineup. Navigating Pagan-Pence-Posey-Sandoval-Morse-Belt will take considerable skill.

With Michael Cuddyer officially on the Cuddisabled list, Corey Dickerson gets the nod against the right-handed Vogelsong. While it's obviously disappointing that Cuddyer is out, he's probably the most easily replaceable of the Rockies' core players, since they have a bajillion outfielders. Dickerson will probably be getting plenty of playing time during the (hopefully short) time Cuddyer is out.

Carlos Gonzalez is back in there, despite getting lifted late in yesterday's game. Apparently it's just knee tendonitis, whatever that is. I guess it's no big deal.

If 2014 is going to be a good year, the Rockies have to do work against the NL West, especially at home. Get after it boys.

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<h3>Today's Lineups</h3>
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<th align="left">SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS</th>
<th align="left">COLORADO ROCKIES</th>
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<tr><td class="td-last td-name">Angel Pagan - CF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Charlie Blackmon - RF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Hunter Pence - RF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Nolan Arenado - 3B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Buster Posey - C</td><td class="td-first td-name">Carlos Gonzalez - LF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Mike Morse - LF</td><td class="td-first td-name">Troy Tulowitzki - SS</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Pablo Sandoval - 3B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Justin Morneau - 1B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Brandon Belt - 1B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Wilin Rosario - C</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Brandon Hicks - 2B</td><td class="td-first td-name">Corey Dickerson - CF</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Brandon Crawford - SS</td><td class="td-first td-name">DJ LeMahieu - 2B</td></tr><tr><td class="td-last td-name">Ryan Vogelsong - RHP</td><td class="td-first td-name">Jorge De La Rosa - LHP</td></tr></tbody>
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